Valpak® Supports Veterans With New Incentive Program

LARGO, Fla., Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc., a leader in local print and digital coupons, announced today a new incentive program that supports returning U.S. military veterans seeking to start a Valpak franchise. Valpak will waive start-up fees for qualified, honorably discharged veterans, making it easier for them to start their franchise business and receive training at no direct cost. This savings is estimated at approximately $32,500.

"Providing opportunities to our honorably discharged veterans recently returning from deployment is not only good business, but it's the right thing to do to support their patriotic investment," said Rick McElwain, vice president of network sales development at Valpak. "We look forward to welcoming more veterans into our system and helping them make their dream of business ownership a reality."

Qualified applicants will be able to acquire a Valpak territory with no franchise and training fee (regularly $17,500). In addition, the territory fee for the first three Neighborhood Trade Areas® (NTAs) will be waived. As the market grows, additional NTAs can be opened at a 50 percent discount.

The Valpak offering is a part of "Operation Enduring Opportunity," a program developed by the International Franchise Association (IFA) with a goal "to hire as team members and recruit as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses and 5,000 wounded warriors by 2014."

Although recent employment numbers have improved, unemployment in the veteran community has historically been much higher than the average population, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unemployment in our veteran community is a national priority and Valpak is also committed to helping our nation's veterans.

"Veterans possess the key skills and attributes needed for success: leadership, teamwork, quick reactions, problem solving, courage and integrity. These individuals often make excellent franchise business leaders," said McElwain.

One of those individuals and a great Valpak success story is Michael Lozier, who joined Valpak as a franchisee in 2007 after a 15-year career in the Marine Corps. He decided that he and his wife had the combined skills needed to be successful with Valpak and currently owns Valpak of Garden State East in New Jersey.

"My wife and I knew we wanted to own a business together. She brought the sales knowledge and I had the experience in operations, discipline and work ethic that comes from years in the military," said Lozier. "We are very pleased with the support we receive from Valpak and recommend the franchise to fellow veterans seeking this type of business."

With almost 170 franchises throughout North America, Valpak can offer veterans a proven track record as a trusted franchisor, a suite of print and digital products and support structure to foster franchisee success. A leader in cooperative direct mail, Valpak mails more than 20 billion coupons to more than 40 million households per month. In addition to its flagship Blue Envelope coupon mailer, the brand provides its business customers an impressive portfolio of digital products, including "Valpak Deals®," Smartphone apps, QR Codes, Print-at-home Internet coupons and SMS/Text Messaging to reach consumers at home and on-the-go.

Valpak has committed to supporting veterans through involvement in the International Franchise Association's (IFA) VetFran program to help veterans become franchise owners. In addition to this incentive program, Valpak is participating in the IFA VetFran Pavilion at the 2012 IFA Convention, where U.S. veterans and military spouses will be invited to attend, and will be matched with franchise opportunities.

To find out more about the Valpak franchise opportunity, please visit www.valpak.com or call Todd Leiser at 1-800-678-2743.

About Valpak®Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America, is owned and operated by Cox Target Media, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Media Group, Inc. With almost 170 franchises throughout the United States and Canada, The Blue Envelope® delivers savings and value to nearly 40 million households each month. Annually, Valpak will distribute some 20 billion offers inserted in more than 500 million envelopes. Valpak also offers digital solutions with www.Valpak.com®, an online site for local savings, which has nearly 70 million offer views each month, as well as mobile phones, including apps for most smartphones. For more information, please contact 1-800-676-6878.

About Cox Media GroupCox Media Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, Inc., is an integrated broadcasting, publishing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of Cox Reps. With $1.8 billion in revenue, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 86 radio stations, four metro newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. Additionally, Cox Media Group owns and operates Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.